National budget 2.27.09

Friday

Feb 27, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2009 at 1:29 AM

GateHouse News Service National Budget
For 2/27/09 editions

Here are the top national stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/. Please submit stories below no later than 6 pm local time, unless you have breaking news that is changing significantly.

MORNING MINUTES: Note: we’ve added a little “today in history.” And we’ll still offer Word of the Day, Web Site of the Day and Number to Know. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/morning_minutes

LOOKING UP: Ever wonder what shines under our feet, on the other side of this planet we call our home? http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1959829066/Looking-Up-What-s-shining-under-our-feet

DOWN TO EARTH: Compact fluorescent light bulbs are a smart choice all around - Using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is truly a bright idea. They benefit the environment and can save you money. You may have been turned off by earlier experiences with CFLs, because of their flickering, awkward shapes and harsh light. However, the new generation of CFLs do not flicker, fit easily into conventional lighting fixtures and can have a pleasing brightness. MetroWest, with art
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x349784108/Down-to-Earth-Compact-fluorescent-light-bulbs-are-a-smart-choice-all-around

CREATING CROSSWORDS: Puzzler crafts crosswords for the next generation - When Brendan Emmett Quigley of Brookline found he didn’t have the drive to be a rock star, he made what, to him, was a logical career move. He opted for celebrity status among cruciverbalists — crossword puzzle enthusiasts. Brookline TAB, Jackson, with photo
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x844647532/Puzzler-crafts-crosswords-for-the-next-generation

LOST IN SUBURBIA: Life with ‘woobie’
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/opinions/columnists/x1237126569/

Entertainment

5 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND: New weekly feature offering five weekend activity suggestions. We’ll be using global ideas here, so feel free to insert any local happenings and/or localize the items. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/x617067245/5-Things-to-Do-This-Weekend

SUDOKU: March puzzles (253-280) are now posted. Sudoku links package can be found here: http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x776476232/Looking-for-Sudoku

AUTHOR’S EPIPHANY: Author's debut children's book features Herbert the Frog - Gerard Police was reading to his newborn daughter when he had an epiphany. Easton Journal, Bolden, with art
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x594726942/Authors-debut-childrens-book-features-Herbert-the-Frog

SNEAK PREVIEW: 'Gomorrah' and other movies opening this week
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/entertainment/movies/x1362388404/

PHILIP MADDOCKS: Banks’ image sullied now that they have been revealed to have used steroids - At a press conference Thursday, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner revealed that all 20 of the country’s biggest banks had tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2006. CNC, on wire now
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x844647330/Philip-Maddocks-Banks-image-sullied-now-that-they-have-been-revealed-to-have-used-steroids

ELIZABETH DAVIES: We need to teach kids good sense so they don‚t start sexting in the first place. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/family/x1362388903/Elizabeth-Davies-We-need-to-teach-kids-good-sense
-- NOTE: This is Davies‚ last column for a couple months ˆ she‚s going on maternity leave.

DIANNE MCDONALD: Come ride the third wave of feminism - The first wave of feminism occured in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the second wave in the 1960s and 1970s. The third wave is happening now. Ledger, on wire now
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x594726627/Dianne-McDonald-Come-ride-the-third-wave-of-feminism

PHIL LUCIANO: All signs point to Blago being an evil genius. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x617070834/Phil-Luciano-All-signs-point-to-Blago-being-an-evil-genius

EDITORIAL: Americans will spend more than $8,000 on health care per capita this year, way ahead of any other country, which is why it's good to see the president getting serious about health care reform. MetroWest

News

THIS WEEK IN WEIRD: A wild turkey in a school, a spray-painting school official and more in this week‚s edition. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/weird_news/x844647229/This-Week-in-Weird-Feb-27

Selectman inundated with calls after proposal to charge for shopping bags - With a shopping cart full of reusable cloth and thermal bags, Alice Carlson of Bridgewater said a proposed tax on plastic and paper grocery bags could be a good idea. Enterprise, Melanson, on wire now, with photos
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/east/massachusetts/x617070324/Selectman-inundated-with-calls-after-proposal-to-charge-for-shopping-bags

AL-MARRI: A federal grand jury has indicted Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri -- a former West Peoria man -- for allegedly conspiring with others to help the al Qaeda terrorist organization. By Andy Kravetz. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1362389470/Al-Marri-indicted-on-terrorism-related-charges

Business / Ag

BIZ BITS: Weekly business rail, with a tip about organizing to save money, a look at NASCAR's highest-earning drivers and more. http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x1362386015/Biz-Bits-Simple-secrets-to-work-smarter

AG TECH: Agricultural technology continues to change the way people farm
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/x1362388180/

BEST BUY BIZ UP: SPRINGFIELD – Customers hoping to find bargains at the soon-to-be-shuttered Circuit City store on Springfield’s west side are greeted by some flat-screen TVs, a limited selection of DVDs and CDs and a smattering of other electronics and related gear. But while Circuit City’s future is extinction, a second big-box electronics store a few blocks away is enjoying an increase in traffic. By Chris Dettro of the State Journal-Register. To localize: If you have a Circuit City in your area, has its closing led to more business for other stores that sell electronics?
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/news/business/x594726030